Page 83 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

“Thank you,” Elena said with a nod. “My father is handling the situation for now, but I will let you know. I do hope it sorts itself out. I love Nathan, but…it will be rather a damper on our engagement announcement if this is dangling over us.”

Elena snapped her gaze to Victoria, her features pinched. “Oh, I don’t mean that to sound so awful.”

Victoria laughed and waved the comment away. “It doesn’t. This is your entire life. You’ve spent years being geared into becoming Queen. To have that threatened because of who you chose to marry is…awful. I completely understand why it would darken the day.”

“Thank you. I…I wanted so much for this to be a happy moment for us. Perhaps it will be best to postpone the announcement until it can be. If it can be.”

“Is there any hope?”

“A glimmer,” Elena answered. “My father has been speaking with the legislators about reversing the decree. He must secure a super majority of voters which is quite a lot. I am hopeful we can do it, though…I’m uncertain, honestly.”

“Well, it seems like your family is really beloved there. Surely, they’ll want you to be happy when you are their monarch.”

“Customs and tradition can play a large role in expectations in Eldoria.” Elena curled her fingers into fists. “That and my oily cousin, Julian, has been painting a bleak picture of the future with a commoner as a ruler.”

Victoria clicked her tongue.

“I am sorry, Mrs. Kingsley. It’s nothing personal. Julian will take any opportunity he can to attempt to claim the throne.”

“Oh, I know. I’m just…sorry for you. And for Nate. I raised a good boy who turned into a strong, fair-minded man. To think your cousin would paint him in another light is…”

“Frustrating, I agree,” Elena said with a nod. “But his envy knows no bounds. Even Isabelle has turned against him, agreeing that he has gone too far this time.”

Victoria raised her eyebrows. “Oh, well, that’s good news. At least you have several people on your side.”

“I agree. I am hoping it will work to our advantage in the end. I know my father will be cautious, though. He will want to make sure he has everything just so before chancing a vote. Which is why I warn you…we may postpone the announcement.”

Victoria pressed her lips together into a tight-lipped, consoling smile. “I hope not, for your sake. I know you were looking forward to it.”

“Immensely. We’ve fought so hard to get here, and now it is all threatened again.”

The plane began to descend through the air, and an announcement came from the cabin about their landing.

Elena shifted in her seat. “Well, we will soon be there. I cannot wait to see the expression on Nathan’s face when he sees you and you give him the good news.”

“You ought to be the one who delivers that,” Victoria answered. “It’s due to you that I’m on this plane and not sitting in a jail cell or sporting an ankle monitor as my latest accessory.”

“You didn’t deserve that. I’m so very pleased we found that evidence to prove your innocence.”

After exchanging a hug, the two women settled back in their seats until the plane’s wheels bounced across the runaway before it slowed to a stop.

They climbed to their feet, collecting their belongings before they stepped into the warm Eldorian afternoon air.

Elena sucked in a breath with a smile as she shielded her eyes. “It’s nice to be home.”

“Yes, it is,” Caroline agreed with a grin as they descended the stairs and made their way toward the waiting cars.

Within minutes, they were on their way to the palace.

“I called ahead and asked the staff to ready the Kingsleys’ rooms,” Caroline said as the car careened closer to the palace.

Elena snapped her gaze toward the woman.

“Don’t worry, I was discreet. The surprise is not ruined.”

“Good,” Elena said with a nod. “Nathan will be thrilled to see his mother, I’m certain.”

“And all due to you, Your Highness.”

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